Method and system for checking money-equivalent documents

ABSTRACT

In a method and a system for checking money-equivalent documents ( 1 ), such as e.g. bank notes, checks, coupons, vouchers and tickets, at a counter ( 2 ) at least one identification feature ( 5 ) of the document ( 1 ) is captured with the help of a high-resolution image capture system ( 3 ).

The present invention relates to a method and a system for checking money-equivalent documents, such as e.g. bank notes, checks, coupons, vouchers and tickets, at a counter.

At counters, e.g. in banks, for example bank notes are deposited, the counter staff counts the deposited bank notes and determines their type and authenticity so that deposited bank notes can be credited at the bank.

From casinos it is known to mount a video camera above a gaming table. The croupier representing the counter staff at the casino's gaming table and supervising the proper course of the game usually fans out the stakes of the players and/or the bank notes or gambling coupons taken in by the bank in a detection area on the gaming table under the video camera. In this way the present bank notes can be captured and recorded in order to use the recordings for clarifying accounting problems at a later point of time. But such a camera does not permit to check the type and/or authenticity of the bank notes or to carry out an automatic accounting.

Therefore, it is the problem of the present invention to provide a method and a system for checking the type and/or authenticity of money-equivalent documents at a counter.

This problem is solved by a method and a system having the features of the independent claims. In claims dependent on these advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are specified.

According to the invention instead of the conventional video camera a high-resolution image capture system is provided in order to capture at least one identification feature of a money-equivalent document while the document is in the detection area of the counter.

Within this invention high-resolution preferably means that the image capture system is adjusted relative to the detection area in such a way that at least a part of the detection area is captured in such a way that for example alphanumeric characters and/or bar codes, which are provided there, can be recognized.

Within the invention an identification feature is a feature of the document to be examined that is a feature typical for the document but not necessarily an individual feature. An identification feature can be, for example, a unique feature of the document, such as e.g. the serial number, a bar code, a guilloche pattern and the like.

Since a high-resolution image capture system is used for capturing the identification features, rejections of documents due to identification errors are rare. Due to the high resolution the documents can even be checked very precise and reliable with respect to type and/or authenticity. In particular small identification features, for example the serial number of a bank note, can be captured with the high-resolution image capture system. In addition, the processing time of the documents is reduced, since the money-equivalent documents can be checked with respect to type and/or authenticity as early as on the counter, and do not have to be supplied to a conventional subsequent checking device. Therefore, the croupier can immediately refuse the acceptance of a document not identified or not recognized as authentic.

The high-resolution image capture system can comprise, for example, a camera (photo or video) and/or a scanner device in order to capture at least one optically detectable identification feature of the document. The high-resolution image capture system can additionally comprise a sensor device in order to capture, for example, an optically not detectable feature. For example, the sensor device can be a reading device in order to read out a transponder disposed in the document.

The high-resolution image capture system preferably comprises a camera disposed above the counter. In this case conventional high-resolution cameras can be used for carrying out the method according to the invention without modifications of the counter being necessary. Alternatively, the image capture system can be disposed in or under the counter. If this image capture system comprises a device for capturing optical features of the money-equivalent document, the counter is transparent in the detection area as to permit a reliable examination of the document.

In a special embodiment the high-resolution image capture system is disposed both above and in or under the counter. This embodiment permits capturing at least one identification feature of the document from both the side facing away from the counter and the side facing the counter. With that a better authentication check is provided. In addition, this embodiment permits both checking the authenticity and at the same time the type of the bank note. For example, on one of the sides of the document to be examined the serial number of the document can be captured for determining its type, while on the opposite side a feature representing the authenticity of the document is captured.

In a further embodiment a display unit is provided, in order to display to the counter staff at least one captured identification feature of the document. This has the advantage that the captured identification feature can be immediately displayed and classified as authentic or as a fake.

In a further embodiment a memory device is provided, in order to store the at least one captured identification feature of the document. In this case the stored results can be used, for example, for accounting or can be compared to the results of other checks of this feature. In addition, the stored results can be stored for checking the document later.

As to check the money-equivalent document to be checked with respect to the type and/or authenticity in an automated fashion, the system according to the invention preferably comprises an evaluation device. This evaluation device for example can be directly connected with the image capture system and immediately display a result of the evaluation on the display unit. With that the processing time of the document is minimized, since still at the counter a result is provided in an automated fashion as to whether the document, for example, is authentic or a fake.

In a further embodiment of the system according to the invention a removal device is provided at the counter, in order to remove the at least one document in an automated fashion from the counter. This removal device, for example, can be adapted to supply removed documents directly into a storage container for the documents, for example a lockable container such as a bank note cassette. The storage container can be disposed downstream of a further checking device that is located under the counter in order to carry out a final authentication check before the document is stored in the container. If a plurality of documents is removed from the counter, for example, additionally a singler can be provided, in order to single the documents and supply them to the checking device before they are stored.

Further features and advantages of the invention appear from the following description of various embodiments and alternative embodiments according to the invention in connection with the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to the invention, comprising a counter and a high-resolution camera, and

FIG. 2 shows the system depicted in FIG. 1, additionally comprising a sensor device and a lockable container.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the system according to the invention for checking money-equivalent documents 1, comprising a counter, in particular a gaming table 2, and a high-resolution image capture system 3. The documents are shown, by way of example, in the form of bank notes 1 and the image capture system in the form of a high-resolution camera 3, for example a video camera and/or a still camera. Camera 3 is disposed in a certain distance above gaming table 2 and adjusted such that it can capture a certain detection area 4 on the gaming table 2. Around gaming table 2, for example in a casino, usually there are a plurality of players and a counter staff person, in particular a croupier, who accepts the stakes of the players and the winnings of the bank. The croupier brings the bank notes 1 received from the players onto the detection area 4, so that the high-resolution camera 3 can capture at least one identification feature 5 of the bank notes 1. As shown in FIG. 1 in a magnification of the bank notes 1, for example the serial numbers 5 and/or a bar code of the bank notes 1 can be captured in order to determine their type. With bank notes “type” in particular shall mean their currency and/or denomination. If with the high-resolution camera 3 an authentication check of the bank notes 1 shall be permitted, authenticity features can also be captured. Obviously, it is also possible to capture the value of the bank notes 1 or other optically detectable features of the bank notes 1 with the help of the high-resolution camera 3.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, which in addition to the system shown in FIG. 1 shows a sensor 6 disposed below the gaming table 2 and a lockable container 7. Additional sensor 6 can serve e.g. for the authentication check of the bank notes by capturing, in addition to the identification features of the bank notes 1 captured by the high-resolution camera 3, further features on the side of the bank notes 1 facing the table 2. The measuring distance to the bank note 1 in this case is substantially shorter than with the optical detection being effected from above the gaming table 2.

Sensor 6 can work in different ways. It is adapted to capture either optically detectable and/or optically not detectable identification features of the bank notes 1. If it is to capture optically detectable identification features, the detection area 4 of the gaming table has to be transparent. For example, the sensor 6 can be a scanner. Alternatively, the sensor can be disposed, invisible for the player, below the gaming table 2. As a not visible sensor 6, for example, a coupling arrangement for capacitive coupling with metallic areas of the bank notes 1 can be used. It is also possible that the bank notes each comprise a transponder, which can be read out by a sensor 6 having the form of a reading device.

As to reliably store the bank notes accepted by the croupier, the system according to the invention additionally can comprise lockable container 7. Bank notes 1 can be brought into lockable container 7 either manually or, preferably, in an automated fashion. In this case lockable container 7 is connected for example with a removal device (not shown) located at gaming table 2, so that bank notes 1 can be removed from gaming table 2 in an automated fashion, optionally can be further checked, and subsequently can be stored in lockable container 7. The removal device preferably adjoins the detection area, so that the bank notes can be passed on into the lockable container without any time loss.

Alternatively, a mirror system can be provided in and/or under the gaming table 2, which captures and reflects the side of the bank notes facing the gaming table 2. Through the transparently designed detection area 4 this side of the bank notes then can be captured by the camera 3 disposed above the gaming table 2.

Camera 3 can also be a zoom camera, which can capture certain areas of one or a plurality of bank notes with a higher resolution, if this should be necessary. Camera 3 can also capture various spectral regions, e.g. the infrared and/or ultraviolet region. For the different spectral regions filters can be used together with camera 3, that are disposed in the beam path between camera 3 and gaming table 2. There can also be provided, that the filter, if required, is automatically changed.

Likewise, a lighting device can be provided for illuminating the bank notes to be checked. The lighting device can emit short flashlights or a continuous illumination. The lighting device can have the form of light emitting diodes. In particular, the lighting device can emit light of the infrared and/or ultraviolet region. It can also be provided that the lighting device, or an additional lighting device, is disposed under gaming table 2 and illuminates bank notes to be checked through detection area 4. By this means the camera 3 can capture the light transmitted through the bank notes.

There can further be provided that a control device, e.g. a PC, controls camera 3 and/or lighting device and/or filter and/or lockable container 7, and the transport of the bank notes from gaming table 2 into lockable container 7. The control device can also be used for evaluating the signals coming from camera 3, as to determine, for example, type, authenticity and number of the bank notes to be checked.

Until now the invention was described with reference to money-equivalent documents, but it is obvious that other money-equivalent objects, e.g. tokens or coins can also be checked with the help of the invention. 

1. A method for checking money-equivalent documents at a counter, wherein at least one document is brought into a detection area of the counter relative to an image capture system and at least one identification feature of the document is captured with the help of the image capture system, comprising the step of using as an image capture system a high-resolution image capture system.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image capture system is adjusted relative to the detection area in such a way that at least a part of the detection area is captured in such a way that any alphanumeric characters and/or bar codes which are provided there can be recognized.
 3. The method according to claim 1, including capturing at least one identification feature of the side of the document facing away from the counter with the help of the image capture system.
 4. The method according to claim 1, including capturing at least one identification feature of a side of the document facing the counter with the help of the image capture system.
 5. The method according to claim 1, including capturing of a side facing away from the counter and of a side facing the counter at least one identification feature of the document with the help of the image capture system.
 6. The method according to claim 1, including capturing at least one identification feature with the help of a camera of the image capture system.
 7. The method according to claim 1, including capturing at least one identification feature with the help of a scanner device of the image capture system.
 8. The method according to claim 1, including capturing at least one identification feature with the help of a sensor device arranged to detect an optically not detectable feature.
 9. The method according to claim 1, including displaying at least one captured identification feature of the document.
 10. The method according to claim 1, including storing at least one captured identification feature of the document.
 11. The method according to claim 1, including evaluating the captured identification feature of the document for the purpose of checking the type and/or authenticity of the document.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after the identification feature is captured with the help of the image capture system, the document is automatically removed from the counter.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein after the identification feature is captured with the help of the image capture system, the removed document is subjected to an additional authentication check.
 14. The method according to claim 1, including storing the at least one document in a lockable container.
 15. A system for checking money-equivalent documents, comprising a counter, a detection area of the counter and an image capture system directed toward the detection area, arranged to capture at least one identification feature of a document located in the image detection area with the help of the image capture system, and wherein the image capture system is a high-resolution image capture system.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the image capture system is adapted relative to the detection area in such a way that it captures at least a part of the detection area in such a way that any alphanumeric characters and/or bar codes which are provided there can be recognized.
 17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the high-resolution image capture system is disposed above the counter.
 18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the high-resolution image capture system is disposed below the counter.
 19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the image capture system is disposed partially above and partially in or below the counter.
 20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the detection area of the counter is transparent.
 21. The system according to claim 15, wherein the image capture system comprises a camera.
 22. The system according to claim 15, wherein the image capture system comprises a scanner device.
 23. The system according to claim 15, wherein the image capture system comprises a sensor device arranged to capture optically not detectable features.
 24. The system according to claim 15, including a display device arranged to display at least one captured identification feature of the document.
 25. The system according to claim 15, including a memory device for storing at least one captured identification feature of the document.
 26. The system according to claim 15, including an evaluation device arranged to assess the type and/or authenticity of the document.
 27. The system according to claim 15, including a removal device arranged to remove the at least one document from the counter.
 28. The system according to claim 27, including a checking device arranged to check the authenticity of the removed document.
 29. The system according to claim 15, including a lockable container arranged to store the at least one document. 